Tahitian Women Bathing
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Oil Paint |
| Current Location: | Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York |
| Location History: | The provenance of "Tahitian Women Bathing" reflects its circulation through prominent European and American art collections during the twentieth century. The painting was initially owned by the influential Parisian art dealer Ambroise Vollard, who played a significant role in promoting Paul Gauguin's work. It subsequently entered the collection of Alphonse Kann at Saint-Germain-en-Laye and later passed through the Galerie Barbazanges in Paris. By 1928, the painting was in the possession of M. Oliver in London before being acquired by the Bignou Gallery in New York by 1935. It was later owned by the American collector Josiah Marvel Jr. of Philadelphia and, in May 1950, was purchased through M. Knoedler & Co. by Robert Lehman, whose renowned collection eventually became part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. |
“Tahitian Women Bathing” is a masterpiece created by a French Post-Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin. Gauguin painted it during his first sojourn in Tahiti which extended from 1891 to 1893. Dissatisfied with the Western ways of life, Gauguin sailed to Tahiti. Gauguin was in search of something ‘primitive’ and authentic, which he thought would be offered by Tahiti. His time spent in Tahiti profoundly shaped his artistic vision. During his time in Tahiti, Gauguin created some of his most monumental works, including his masterpiece, “Tahitian Women Bathing.” It is an oil on paper painting which began as a massive sheet of working drawings before being mounted onto canvas and varnished for sale. The painting depicts a nude female figure, standing and viewed from behind, along with two other female figures shown as sitting nearby the standing figure. The painting offers a visual representation of the physical appearance of Tahitian women. Through his painting, Gauguin sought to illustrate what distinguished the Polynesiam women from the women of other races. The painting presents a very normal daily activity undertaken by the Tahitian women. Gauguin transforms this private moment into a monumental piece of art. However, such works by Gauguin are sometimes criticised for exoticizing indigenous people, thereby representing a colonial perspective of the natives.